Embarking on a journey through Africa, you may discover a land filled to the brim with priceless treasures. This article will guide you through some of the continent’s most precious things, whether it’s the abundant natural resources, the rich cultural heritage, or its breathtaking wildlife. From diamond mines to vast wildlife reserves and age-old traditions that continue to thrive, “What Precious Things Are In Africa?” showcases the continent in all its vibrant, dazzling glory. Experience and explore the African continent in a way you’ve never seen before.
1. Diverse Cultural Heritage
Africa, known as the cradle of humankind, is a continent enriched with diverse cultural heritage. This multicultural wealth manifests in many realms of society such as languages, traditions, clothing, and jewelry that tell the stories of a vibrant, dynamic, and resilient people.
African Indigenous Languages
Africa is a linguistically diverse continent with an estimated 2000 languages spoken. These languages lend a unique identity to each ethnic group, emphasizing their history, experiences, and worldview. Notable ones include Swahili, Zulu, Yoruba, and Amharic.
Unique Practices and Traditions
Across Africa, unique practices and traditions abound. Each ethnic group expresses their lineage and status through fascinating rituals such as the Maasai’s jumping dance, the Zulus’ Reed dance, or the Ethiopian tribes’ lip plating culture. These practices encapsulate Africa’s communal heritage and shared history of resilience.
Ethnic Clothing and Jewelry
African ethnic clothing and jewelry are an explosion of colors and designs, reflecting the spirit of each tribe. In West Africa, the grand boubou or dashiki are often worn for special occasions, while the vibrant Maasai beadwork and Ethiopian silver jewelry are renowned worldwide.
2. Abundant Natural Resources
Africa is home to an abundance of natural resources that contribute significantly to the global economy. The continent’s wealth in precious gems, valuable minerals, vast oil reserves, and fertile agricultural lands, spell out opportunities for economic growth.
Precious Gems
Africa is one of the world’s leading sources of precious gems such as diamonds, rubies, emeralds and Tanzanite (exclusively found in Tanzania). This natural wealth has been a valuable contributor to many African economies.
Valuable Minerals
A significant amount of valuable minerals such as gold, platinum, and uranium can be found in Africa. South Africa, for example, holds the world’s largest gold reserves, while the Democratic Republic of Congo leads in cobalt production.
Vast Oil Reserves
Oil, a critical resource, is plentiful in Africa. Countries such as Nigeria, Angola, Algeria, and Libya hold some of the world’s largest oil reserves, making the continent a key player in the global petroleum industry.
Fertile Agricultural Lands
Africa’s fertile agricultural lands produce crops like cocoa, coffee, tea, and various fruits. Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana are top producers of cocoa, while Ethiopia and Kenya also dominate in coffee and tea production respectively.
3. Unique Wildlife
Africa is a haven for a diverse range of unique wildlife. The presence of endangered species, spectacular birdlife, incredible marine diversity, and impressive megafauna are mere depictions of the continent’s abundant natural life.
Endangered Species
Unfortunately, some of Africa’s wildlife species are endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. Efforts are in place to protect iconic animals like the black rhino, Ethiopian wolf, mountain gorilla, and African elephant.
Spectacular Bird Life
Africa hosts a mix of endemic and migratory birds, with over 2,000 species recorded. The vibrantly coloured Malachite Kingfisher, the stately African Fish Eagle, and the elusive Shoebill are just a few examples.
Incredible Marine Diversity
With an extensive coastline, Africa boasts an incredible array of marine life. This includes the unique biodiversity of Madagascar’s coral reefs, or the world’s largest population of dolphins found off the coast of Namibia.
Impressive Mega-fauna
Africa is home to impressive mega-fauna such as elephants, rhinos, lions, giraffes, and hippos. The continent’s National Parks such as the Serengeti and Kruger Park are world-renowned for their diverse mega-fauna.
4. Historic Landmarks
Visiting African historic landmarks is like stepping into pages of a riveting history book. From the Ancient Pyramids of Giza to historic slave trade sites, the Stone Town of Zanzibar, and the Cape of Good Hope – they all echo tales of a resilient past.
Ancient Pyramids of Giza
The ancient pyramids of Giza, built as tombs for the pharaohs and their consorts during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods, are the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Their imposing presence continues to fascinate visitors worldwide.
Historic Slave Trade Sites
Historic slave trade sites, including the slave forts of Cape Coast and Elmina in Ghana, are a stark reminder of the human cost of colonial exploitation. These sites now serve as memorials and centers of education about the transatlantic slave trade.
Stone Town of Zanzibar
The Stone Town of Zanzibar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its winding alleys, bustling bazaars, and beautiful Arab houses. Its history is intertwined with the spice trade, the Arabian Sultans, and the infamous slave trade.
Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope, on the southern tip of the African continent, was a significant landmark for seafarers in past centuries. As part of the Table Mountain National Park, it offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean.
5. Incredible Landscapes
Africa’s landscapes are a blend of magnificent waterfalls, impressive mountain ranges, the fascinating Great Rift Valley, and exquisite beaches. Each of these natural wonders has stories to tell and experiences to offer.
Magnificent Waterfalls
The African continent boasts some magnificent waterfalls, none more famous than the Victoria Falls on the Zambia-Zimbabwe border. The width of the falls and its height create a stunning spectacle, rightly named “The Smoke That Thunders.”
Impressive Mountain Ranges
Africa is home to many mountain ranges from the Drakensberg in South Africa to the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. The highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, is a popular destination for climbers around the world.
The Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley, stretching from Lebanon in Asia to Mozambique in Southeast Africa, holds significant geological and anthropological value. It hosts some of Kenya’s best wildlife parks and sparkling lakes.
Exquisite Beaches
Africa’s coastline boasts some of the world’s most exquisite beaches like Seychelles’ Anse Source d’Argent or South Africa’s Boulders Beach. The crystal-clear blue waters and white sand invite one for endless relaxation.
6. Artistic expressions
Africa’s artistic expressions in traditional art, music, dance, and film reflect the continent’s creativity and tell a story of its past, present, and future.
Traditional African Art
Traditional African art is renowned for its variety and expressiveness. African art pieces, whether masks, sculptures, or textiles, often symbolize spiritual beliefs, social statuses, or aesthetic tastes.
Vibrant Music Genres
Afrobeat, Highlife, Kwaito, or Rhumba are among the vibrant music genres born in Africa, enjoyed not only locally, but around the globe. They are a reflection of Africa’s energy, diversity, and resilience.
Influential Dance Styles
African dance styles like the West African ‘’Azonto’’ or South Africa’s ‘’Gwara Gwara’’ are more than entertainment. They are vehicles of communication, telling stories, expressing feelings or marking life-changing events.
Developing Film Industry
Africa’s film industry, notably Nollywood (Nigeria) and Riverwood (Kenya), plays a significant role in socio-economic development and job creation. These films portray African realness, challenges, and victories to a global audience.
7. Diverse African Cuisine
Diverse African cuisines reflect the continent’s multicultural heritage, regional geography, and history. Egyptian, Moroccan, Ethiopian, and Nigerian cuisines are just a few examples of the rich culinary tapestry that Africa offers.
Egyptian Cuisine
Egyptian cuisine is influenced by the Mediterranean, with dishes like Foul Medammes, Koshari, and Molokhia being some of the common delicacies.
Moroccan Cuisine
Moroccan cuisine offers a tantalizing mix of flavors. The country’s most famous dish, the Tagine, is a slow-cooked savory stew, named after the earthenware pot in which it is cooked.
Ethiopian Cuisine
Ethiopian cuisine uses numerous types of spices such as ‘’berbere’’ and ‘’korerima’’ to create exotic dishes. Injera, a sourdough flatbread, and Doro Wat, a spicy chicken stew, are staple meals.
Nigerian Cuisine
Famous for its bold flavors, Nigerian cuisine features dishes like Jollof rice, Pounded yam, or Egusi soup that have gained global recognition.
8. Impressive African Literature
African literature, with its impressive roster of writers, rich narratives, and major literary awards, has drawn global attention.
Prolific African writers
African writers like Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, Nadine Gordimer, and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have taken the literary world by storm, bringing into focus the African narratives.
Influential African Literature in the World
African literature has significantly influenced the literary landscape worldwide. Novels by African writers, touching on themes of colonialism, post-colonialism, apartheid, gender, and identity have found a global readership.
Impactful Literary Awards
Many African writers have been recognized with prestigious awards. African literature has the distinction of being awarded Nobel prizes in literature on several occasions.
9. Progressive Technological Innovations
Africa’s technological innovations are improving the lives of millions. From mobile money technology to solar power, online businesses, and artificial intelligence applications, Africa is charting its path in digital innovation.
Mobile Money Innovations
The rise of mobile money in Africa is a game-changer. Innovations like M-Pesa have revolutionized the banking sector, enabling quick and secure transactions even in the most remote areas.
Solar Powered Technologies
Solar-powered technologies are increasingly adopted in Africa to address energy poverty. The continent’s abundant sunshine is an untapped resource harnessed to provide renewable, sustainable power.
Online Businesses
Africa’s growing internet connectivity has opened up the potential for online businesses. Online marketplaces like Jumia, Takealot, and Jiji are contributing to Africa’s e-commerce revolution.
Artificial Intelligence Applications
Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications are making strides in Africa, in areas like healthcare, education, finance, and agriculture. AI technologies are creating opportunities for improved services and human capacity development.
10. Significant Historical Records
Africa holds significant historical records that have shaped our understanding of human history. These records, which span ancient African civilizations, pre-colonial empires, post-colonial independence movements, and archaeological findings, provide a sweeping panorama of an intricate past.
Ancient African Civilizations
Ancient African civilizations like Ancient Egypt, Carthage, and Axum are a testament to Africa’s historical grandeur. They left impressive architectural, artistic, and scientific legacies.
Pre-colonial African Empires
Pre-colonial African empires such as Mali, Songhai, and the Great Zimbabwe personified political organization, administration, and economic prosperity, long before the advent of colonial rule.
Post-colonial Independence Movements
Post-colonial independence movements marked the end of colonial rule in Africa. Leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Jomo Kenyatta, and Nelson Mandela fought for freedom, sparking a wave of optimism across the continent.
Important Archaeological Findings
Archaeological findings like Lucy (Ethiopia), the Blombos Cave engravings (South Africa), and Leakey’s findings in Olduvai Gorge (Tanzania) have significantly contributed to understanding human evolution.
In conclusion, the continent of Africa is a treasure trove of varied cultures, natural resources, historical landmarks, and significant records. It’s a land filled with incredible wildlife, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant artistic expressions, and progressive technological advancements. From its diverse culinary offerings to the world-shaping literature, Africa continues to shine on the world stage.
